Pump valve construction



` Nov. 22, 1938.

D.W. HOFERER ET AL PUMP VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 21, 1936 `Patented Nov. 22, 1938 PA'IENT oFFICE amados PUMP VALVE coNs'rnUc'rIoN Daniel W. Hofer-er and Edward T. Adams, Long Beach, Calif., assignors to Hofco Pump, Ltd., Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of California Application December 21', 1936, Serial No. 116,953

8 Claims.

This invention relates to valves and relates morev particularly to the valves of deep well pumps. A general object of this invention is to provide a well pump valve embodying an improved, strong, and very durable cage.

Well pumps such as oil well pumps usually embody valves of the ball type, A pump valve of this nature includes a tubular body or cage for containing the ball valve. This cage is usually connected between elements of'the pump and, therefore, is subjected to shock and heavy stresses. Because of the very restricted space in which a well pump operates the wall of the valve cage is quite thin and it is highly desirable to form the cage of a material offering a maximum resistance to shock and stress. The flow of fluid through the valve seat and the valve cage is Violent and causes rotation and erratic` movement of the ball. This movementof the ball results in substantial lvgvelar to the parts of the cage engaged by the Cages for pump valves have been introduced having internal ribs of bronze and vof the same material as the cages for dampening the Iwhirling motion ofthe iiuid, for guiding the ball and for protecting the cage proper against wear. In order to provide these ribs on the interior of the cage it was found necessary to part the cage horizontally into two sections and then providev the ribs onthe lower section so that they extended upwardly nto the upper section when the two sections were assembled. The two sections of a valve cage of the character referred to were Welded together. .The construction just mentioned is very expensive and the ribs on the interior of the cage are of necessity of a material having a low resistance to wear and abrasion and are not strongly secured to the cage so that they are liable to fall into the pump.v

Another object of this invention is to pro- Vide a well pump valve embodying a cage of.

strong, tough material capable of dependably withstanding the stresses to which it may be subjected and guide ribs on the interior of the cage of a hard material having a high resistance to wear and abrasion for guiding the ball,v protecting the cage against wear, and for dampening the whirling motion of the uid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valve of the character mentioned in which the cage is an integral or one-piece member formed of an exceptionally tough material resistant to shock and stress.

Another object of this invention isvto provide a pump valve of the character mentioned in which the hard ball guiding ribs or hard surfaced ribs are joined or secured to-the one piece cage in such a manner that they cannot break or become displaced from the cage.

Another object of this invention is to provide van improved pump valve of the character mentioned in which the guiding ribs are the inner projecting portions of very hard inserts welded in slots in the wall of the tubular valve cage.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump valve of the character mentioned in which the materials of the cage and the hard ball guiding ribs are such that they are readily joined or bonded by strong solid bonds 0f welding.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump valve of the character mentioned in which the hard inserts forming the ball guiding ribs readily harden after the welding process either by air hardening or by moderate temperature heat treatment and the cage body is substantially unaiected by the welding process.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved pump valve cage that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

The various objects andfeatures of our invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of typical preferred forms and 'applications of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of a well pump valve embodyingthe present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse detailed sectional view taken asindicated by llne 2--2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the manner inwhich the inserts .or blocks are positioned in the Vslots of the cage, and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view illustrating a modiiied form of guide.

The valve structure of the present invention is adapted to be embodied in valves for use in various classes of wellpumps and in valves for application to various lwell pump elements. In the drawing we have illustrated a typical valve of theV invention connected between two tubular well pump elements l0 and ll that may be considered elements'of a pump` barrel, elements of 4a pump plunger, or other well pump parts. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted to the specific form of application of theinvention illustrated in the drawing and about-.to'be described.

Thev improved pump valve 'provided by this invention-includes a tubular cage body I2 interposed between the pumpelements I0 and I l, or

strong and shock resisting.

connected to one pump element, for example, the element Ill, a seat I 3, in the cage body I2, a ball I4 in the body I2 for cooperating with the seat I2 and ribs I5 on the interior o1' the cage body I2 for guiding the ball I4 and for dampening the whirling motion of the uid passing through the body.

The cage body I2 is a tubular structure or member for containing the ball I4 and for handling or conducting the pumped uid. In the particular form of the invention the body I2 has a central longitudinal opening I6 extending through it from one end to the other. It is a feature of the invention that the cage body I2 is an integral or one-piece member. The body I2 is elongate and cylindrical in conilguration and in the application of the invention illustrated has means at its opposite ends for connecting with the pump elements III and II, it being understood that the body may be connected to only one pump element in some installations. the lower end portion of the cage body I2 and the upper portion of the pump element I is threaded into the body. The upper portion of the cage body I2 is reduced in diameter to constitute a pin I6 which may be threaded into the lower portion of the pump element II. An internal annular flange I6 is provided on the cage body I2 above the thread I1. The lower side of the flange Il may be 'ilat and normal to the longitudinal axis of thebody I Il whilethe upper side of the flange may be inclined downwardly and inwardly relative to said axis. 'I'he internal diameter of the cage body I2 is increased above the flange Il to provide a substantial iiuld passing space around Vthe'ball I4.when the ball is raised from the seat Il. -This enlarging `of the internal diameter of the intermediatevportion of the .cage body I2 of course reduces its wall thickness. The internal diameter of the upper portion or pin I2 of the body I2 may be reduced.

In accordance with the invention a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings or slots 2i!V is provided in the wall of the body I2. The slots 20 extend upwardly froml a plane at or adjacent the flange I9 Vand terminate a considerable distance below the pin I8 so that they are confined to the portion of the body which encloses or surrounds the ball I4. 'Ihe slots 20 may have flat parallel side walls and may be readily milled in the body I2. In practice there may be three or more equally spaced slots 20 of ther same size and shape. It is important that the cage body I2 be formed of'a tough, strong material capable of dependably withstanding shockand stress. In practice the body I2 is formed-of a low carbon steel having atoughening and vstrengthening alloy content. It is to be noted `that the body I2 is simple and inexpensive and The seat Illris adapted to (be engagedby the ball 'I4 during certain lphases of operation of the pump to close .01T vthe passage or opening I6 through the fagelbody I2. accordancewlthv the broader aspects' of the invention any suitable form of valve seat may be employed. In

the drawing wehave illustrated a replaceable seat Il arranged `in` the body I2 to extend upwardly through the iiange I9 and to project downwardly into the" upper portion of the pump element III. 'IheL-seat Il is provided with an annular llame-,2| which is clamped between the lower side of the-body flange IS'and the upper An internal thread I'I .is provided in` particularly.

' welded in 1:58101; vzo mathe same zmfumerasl me welding 26.

end of the pump element III. The upper end of theseat I2 is provided with a suitable surface 22 to be engaged or sealed against by the ball I4.

The ball I4 may be a simple spherical member of steel arranged in the cage body I2 to seat downwardly against the surface 22 of the seat I2. The ball I4 is proportioned to have substantial clearance with the wall of the body opening I6 when in engagement with the seat I3 and when properly aligned with the seat. When the ball I4 is raised from its seat I2 there is ample clearance or space around it for the flow of fluid as will be readily understood from the drawing. Suitable means is provided for limiting the upward travel of the ball I4. In the case illustrated this means comprises a pin 22 carried by the cage body I2 and extending transversely across its opening I6 at a suitable point above the seat I3. A

The ribs I5 are provided to guide the ball I4, to dampen the swirling motion of the iluid passing through the cage body I2 and to protect the wall of the body against wear. The ribs I5 and their mode of attachment to the body I2 are features of the invention. AThe ribs I5 project lnwardlyfrom the wall of the body opening I6 and are the inner portions of inserts or blocks 24 arranged in the above described slots 2li. 'Ihe blocks 24 are simple elongate members proportioned and shaped to properly flt in the -slots 20. In 'the structure illustrated the .blocks 24 which provide the ribs Il are elongate parts of square or rectangular cross section. The blocks 24 are proportioned to project inwardly from the wall of the body opening I8 a sumcient distance to have guiding cooperation with the ball I4 when their outer surfaces 26 are somewhat inset from the periphery of the body I2. This relationship is clearly Aillustrated in the drawing.

To assure the proper positioning of the blocks 24 a mandrel 26 may be arranged centrally through the body I2 and the blocks 24 may be inserted or driven into the slots 26 to be stopped or positioned by the mandrel 26. Fig. 3 ofthe drawing illustrates two of the blocks 24 as set or positioned by engaging vagainst the centering mandrel 26 and illustrates the third block approaching its proper position. In accordance with the invention the blocks -24 whichvprovide the ribs I5 are formed oi' hard abrasion and .wear resisting material.l In practice 'the blocks Acarbon ralloy steel or any hard material-or hard surfaced materialcapable of being properly welded in place. In Fig. 4 wev have illustrated a block 24* which may be formed o'fmild steel, or the like, `having a hardenedinnersurface or an inner surface faced with a' hard facing'material such as vStellite', or theflike. 'Ihe block *24*` maybe blocks24`.

'I'he hard wear resistant blocks 24 are integrally bonded 'or-welded to the I'body I2. vWhen :the blocks 24 have been properly positioned in the slots 20 as described above, they are directly welded in the slots to be rigidly and permanently secured to the body I2. As pointed outabove,

the outer sides 26 of the blocks 24 are inset from the periphery of the body I2. This leaves the outer portions of the slotsl 20 open to receive The welding 26 Amay completely occupy the outer or open portions of the-slots 20 to constitute extensive and solid bonds of welding.,

The Weldingl 26 may also occupy any spaces 21 that may occur in the slots at the ends of the blocks 2 4. It is preferred t'o employ nickel steel welding rods and the acetylene welding process in welding the blocks 24 to the body I2, which body preferably contains a strengthening and toughening element such as nickel. During the welding operation suitable precautions should be taken against the inclusion of slag in the weld. The above mentioned method of welding the blocks 24 in the slots 2Il resu1ts in solid welded bonds between the blocks 24 and the wall of the body I2.

The welding 26 at or adjacent the periphery of the body I2 dependably bonds the blocks 24 to the body I2. The cage body I2 is formed of an especially .toughmaterial which does not harden locally or set up strains during the welding process. The inserts or blocks 24 being formed oi' a high carbon steel may. air harden after the welding process or, if desired, may be hardened by a moderate normalizing heat treatment immediately following the welding operation.

The above described method of securing or bonding the blocks 24 to the body I2 provides the tough, strong cage body I2 with the very hard blocks 24 or the hard surfaced blocks 24a dependably secured to the body by solid welded bonds, These blocks 24 or 24a thus secured to the body I2 vproject from the internal wall of the body to constitute the Wear resistant guides or ribs I5. Following the welding of the blocks 24 to the body I2 and the hardeningof the blocks the periphery of the body I2 maybe finished or turned to present a smooth regular surface. In this manner any irregularities 'resulting from the welding operations are removed.

It is believed thatV the utility of the pump valve provided by the invention will be readily understood from .the foregoing detailed description. The guides or ribs I5 guide and center the ball I4 to properly cooperate with its seat I3. When there is a flow of uid through the cag I2 the ball I4 is raised from the seat and the motion of iiuid may cause turning of the ball and erratic movement of the ball. The hard or hard faced guide ribs I5 ofcourse prevent the ball I4 from directly contacting the wall of the cage body I2 and thus protect the body against wear due to movement of the ball. The ribs I 5 also operate to retard or dampen undesirable swirling motion of the iiuid passing through the cage. The provision of the guides or ribs I5 does not materially reduce the uid capacity of the cage I2. Ihe guides or ribs I5 present very hard surfaces that eectively resist wear and abrasion and, therefore, are very long wearing. The guides or ribs I5 prevent the ball I4 from contacting the wall of the body I2 and thus preventwear of the body so that the body has a long life and is not weakened by operation of the ball valve.

' The cage body I2 is an integral or one-piece member formed of a toughstrong material and, therefore, is not liable to break or fail during operation of the pump. The provision of the slots 2D in the wall of the body I2 does not appreciably weaken the body and when the blocks 24 are welded to the slots, as described above, the body regains its original' strength. Accordingly, there is no danger of the body I2 failing or breaking during operation of the pump and the pump element Ill may be properly tightened in the lower portion of the body without danger of spreading or bursting the body wa1l. Accordingly, the pump element I0 may be tightly set up in the body to clamp the seat I3 in place without danger of breaking the body. The present invention provides an improved valve cage construction for pump valves that is very inexpensive and that is very'strong and durable.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves Aany variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims. v

Having described our invention, we claim:

l. A cage for a pump valvel including, a body having an opening in its wall, an insert of material harder than the body partially received in the inner portion of the opening and projecting from the inner wall of the body to guide the valve, and welded metal in the remaining portion of the opening fixing the insert to the body and strengthening the body wall.

2. A cage for a well pump valve including, a tubular body having circumferentially spaced openings extending through its wall, members harder than the body received in the inner portions of the openings and projecting into the body to guide a valve therein, and welds occupying the outer portions of the openings securing the members to the body and strengthening the body Wall.

3. A cage for a well pump valve including, a one-piece tubular body for housing the valve, the body having circumferentially spaced openings in 'its wall', members harder than the body partially received in the openings and projecting from the vthe remaining portions of the slots securing the inserts to the body and strengthening the body wall.

5. A cage for a well pump valve including, a one piece tubular body for housing the valve, the body having circumferentially spaced openingsthrough its wall, wear resistant inserts in the openings projecting from the internal surface of the body to guide the valve and having their outer sides inset from the periphery of the body, and welding in the outer portions of the openings bonding the inserts to the body.

6. A cage for a Well pump valve including,. a one piece tubular body of tough, strong material for containing the valve; the body having circumferentially spaced slots through its wall, hard wear resisting blocks vin the slots projecting from the internal surface of the body to guide the valve, and'bonds of welding in the outer portions of the slots' securing the blocks to the body.

'1. A valve for a well pump including a tubular cage, means on at least one end of the cage for connection with an element of the pump, a seat in the cage, a valve in the cage for cooperating with the seat, the wall of thel body above the seat having circumferentially spaced openings, wear resistant inserts of harder material than the body held in the openings and projecting into the cage to guide the valve, and bonds of welding exposed at the exterior of the cage securing the insem in the opening: by being bonded to both the the openings and projecting into the body to guide cue und the innert. a valve therein, and bonds of weldingr Joined to 8. A me for a well pump valve including, a. both the body and a block and exposed at the tubular body having cireumferentially spaced exterior of the body. 5 elonnted openings through its wall, valve-guiding EDWARD T. ADAMS.

5 blocks of mlterlll hrder than the bOdy held 1n lDANIEL W. HOFIRER. 

